What Everyone With Migraine Should Know About Gut Health
Key Questions
- What is the gut-brain axis, and how does it influence a person’s potential for migraine?
- Beyond bacteria, what makes up the gut microbiome, and what role does it play in overall body function?
- How does the vagus nerve mediate gut-brain communication, and how is this affected during a migraine attack?
- What interventions, both lifestyle and medical, can support vagal nerve function and gut-brain health?
- What is the oral-gut-brain axis, and how might specific oral bacteria trigger migraine via nitric oxide?
- What are “microbial signatures” in pain disorders, and what typical patterns are observed in migraine?
- Do microbial signatures vary geographically, and what lifestyle factors influence these differences?
- What have studies revealed about the gut microbiome’s influence on the brain and a person’s migraine susceptibility?
- How does the gut microbiome change during a migraine attack?
- Can traumatic events or lifestyle choices negatively impact the gut microbiome?
- Can frequent migraine attacks progressively harm the gut microbiome, and does it have a capacity for recovery?
- What practical dietary and non-dietary steps can be taken to support gut health and potentially reduce migraine?
- How important is increasing fruit and vegetable intake, especially in populations with low consumption?
- Which supplements are useful for supporting the gut-brain connection?
- How can common medications affect the gut and nutrient absorption?
- What acute strategies help manage gastrointestinal issues, like constipation or diarrhea, during a migraine attack?
- What guidance exists regarding microbiome testing versus lifestyle improvements for long-term migraine and gut health?
- How can people with migraine cope with feelings of self-blame or hopelessness regarding migraine management?
Robert Bonakdar, MD
Pain & Headache Specialist
Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
Dr. Robert Bonakdar received his M.D. from the University of Nevada School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Occidental College in Los Angeles. He received the Richter Fellowship for Independent International Research in the field of Southeast Asian health practices and studied in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. He completed a clinical and research fellowship in integrative medicine at Scripps Clinic and has been the director of pain management at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, Calif., since 2002.
In addition to family medicine, Dr. Bonakdar is certified in integrative medicine and headache medicine by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS). He is a Fellow of the American Nutrition Association, and a member of the American Headache Society’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Special Interest Section, where he has helped create patient education guides. He is active in nutrition research and novel approaches to migraine.
Interviews from Robert Bonakdar, MD
How Heavy Metals & Trace Elements Affect Migraine
Supplements & Foods That Ease Migraine
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Related Talks for: Day 1 (2026)
You’re Not Imagining It: Migraine’s Strange Symptoms Explained
Jessica Ailani, MD, FAHS, FAAN
The Six Most Common Mistakes in Migraine Management
Deborah Friedman, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHS
Over the past 50 years, our mission at the National Headache Foundation has been to further awareness of headache and migraine as legitimate neurobiological diseases. Much has changed during this time. With aid from advanced technology and clinical innovation, there are more treatment options than ever before. However, we understand that these diseases are still largely misunderstood and that finding the right treatment options for you requires insight.
